News from the Front

Fact:
The World Health Organization (WHO) describes Bird Flu (H5N1 virus) as “the most serious known health threat the world is facing today.”

Fact:
This virus has spread among poultry to more than ten countries in Asia; it has infected at least 112 people in five countries, and killed at least 57 (as of August 5, 2005). Infected migratory waterfowl are spreading H5N1 virus to new countries, particularly now towards Europe, at 20-30 miles per day across Russia.

Fact:
Leading scientists fear that the mutation-prone flu virus will adapt for easy spread person-to-person, a step that could ignite a world-wide pandemic. There is widespread scientific consensus that another flu pandemic will occur, and that the question is when not if. Flu pandemics occur roughly every 30-40 years, and the last flu pandemic hit in 1968. Each pandemic in the 20th century killed at least one million people.

Please help to minimize this pandemic and see how you can help by reading below.

– Norma Owen, President, Avadon (Flu Preparedness Team)